José Múcio takes office saying Bolsonarista camps ‘vanishing’
BRASÍLIA – The Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro, revealed this Monday 2, that he has friends and relatives in the Bolsonarist camps, contrary to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in the vicinity of the barracks throughout the country. After taking office in a ceremony without the presence of Jair Bolsonaro’s former military leadership, Múcio said that not all the participants are radicals and he considers the demonstration legitimate, but understands that they will empty themselves. In a speech, the minister said that the military has a sense of responsibility and that the Brazilian armed forces “have always taken a stand in favor of democracy”.
“I think it will fade away. When the former President of the Republic (Bolsonaro) relinquished his office, left office, that General Mourão (former vice president) issued a statement telling everyone to go back to their homes,” Múcio said, in an interview with reporters after the ceremony at the ministry headquarters. “Those demonstrations in the camp, I speak with authority because I have relatives there, in Recife, I have friends here, it is a manifestation of democracy. Gradually it will fade away and reach the place we all long for.”
José Múcio’s tone differs, in public, from the other ministers in the Lula government. The demobilization of these concentrations was one of Lula’s wishes, which he confided to the parliamentarians, as revealed by the Stadium, and has been defended, even if forced removal is necessary, by ministers of justice such as Flávio Dino. He said the camps have become incubators for terrorists. For Alexandre Padilha, Minister of the Secretariat for Institutional Relations, they have become incubators of violent acts and crimes.
Police investigations have pointed to regular extremists in the field of army command as the perpetrators of an attempt to bomb and besiege the federal capital with fire and explosions to provoke a military coup and prevent Lula’s inauguration, which took place on Sunday 1. .
When asked if his relatives were still crowded in the barracks, the minister withdrew, saying he would call them. “The advice I give is that they defend what they think in a rational and polite way,” said Múcio.
Múcio said that the country is experiencing a moment of stability and that he sees “disarmament in the name of fraternity”, despite the political tension in the elections. Despite concerns about the security of the presidential inauguration, the ceremony was described by the minister as “calm and cheerful”. He observed that the spaces for the opposites and for those in favor have been respected.
The minister ignored recent incidents pointing to the politicization of the Armed Forces and made no mention of the 21-year military dictatorship in Brazil, a period in which there was persecution, torture and illegal executions by state agents. The minister was affiliated with the Arena, a party that gave political support to the regime, and subsequently always militated in right-wing parties. Currently unaffiliated.
“Our country has peaceful traditions. Despite its significant geopolitical dimension, Brazil and our Armed Forces have always placed themselves at the service of peace, democracy, respect for institutions and cooperation with its neighbours. Our history, full of examples, it demonstrates that the Navy, the Army and the Air Force are state institutions, respectable and jealous of their constitutional roles, governed by the principles of hierarchy and discipline, deeply rooted in them.”
Múcio took office without the presence of any of the names of the former military leadership of the Jair Bolsonaro government. The only one present at the ceremony was the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Army General Laerte de Souza Santos.
General Laerte gave a formal speech, stating that Múcio will have the team’s full support and that, under portfolio coordination, the armed forces remain ready to defend national sovereignty. The former commanders of the Armed Forces were absent. Also the last Minister of Defense, General Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, and the former Minister of Defense and Civil Affairs, General Walter Souza Braga Netto, candidate for vice president defeated with Bolsonaro.
Two former ministers of Jair Bolsonaro attended Múcio’s inauguration. Former Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva and Admiral Bento Albuquerque, former Minister of Mines and Energy. Also present at the ceremony were former ministers Raul Jungmann and Joaquim Silva e Luna, both from the government of Michel Temer.
Despite his absence, Múcio was keen to thank members of Bolsonaro’s military leadership by name: Minister Paulo Sérgio, cited twice for his “courtesy”, Admiral Almir Garnier Santos (Navy), Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior (Air Force) and General Marco Antônio Freire Gomes (Army). He also praised General Sérgio José Pereira (Secretary General of Defence).
Of the three commands, only the Navy has a change of command ceremony pending. It should take place on Thursday 5, with the presence of the Admiralty at the invitation of the Commander General Marcos Olsen. The Army took place on Friday December 31, also in a confidential manner, with the arrival of General Júlio César Arruda in overall command.
“What was expected was something different from what happened,” said Múcio, speaking of the intention of the previous commanders to leave their duties early, despite the new government, which was then agreed with him.
Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno received his assignment this Monday, at the Brasilia Air Force Base. The new Air Force commander said he “will not run away from combat” or “shirk the noble mission,” even in the face of dissatisfaction. “May the misunderstanding of those closest to you return to a future understanding,” Damasceno said.
When asked about the declaration, Múcio said that the dissatisfied should be respected, “as long as they don’t create problems” in the work of the Armed Forces. He declined to answer how he will deal with indiscipline with political rallies by active general officers. In the Bolsonaro government there have been no punishments, as in the case of the former Minister of Health and reserve general Eduardo Pazuello (PL), a federal deputy elected by Rio. He is under investigation due to management during covid-19.
Múcio denied that the fact that the military has participated extensively and unprecedentedly in the Bolsonaro government, including in active service and in civilian and political positions, means that they have participated in an authoritarian power project. The minister said the military showed him “professionalism” and a “sense of duty”.
Múcio said that, in principle, he did not understand Lula’s invitation to take over Defense, but understood the need for conversations “due to political quarrels”. Aware of the sensitivity still present, he asked for “community of purpose” and “mutual loyalty” between the ministry and the commands.
Múcio’s inauguration materializes the return of a civilian to office, in the hands of the military since 2018. Múcio said he was grateful to President Lula for the appointment. He said he will keep all strategic projects going in the three forces, before starting “breakthroughs”.
“I will try to coordinate efforts and guarantee them the means and conditions to carry out their missions and strengthen the already high public recognition for the invaluable services they render to the people. I will give priority to strategic programs and exchanges with the Defense industrial base” the minister said. “With a spirit of collaboration and absolute respect for military institutions and traditions, together with an awareness of the relevance and authority of the position I assume, I ratify my commitment to the service of the country, the Armed Forces and the Brazilian people”.
Múcio promised balanced management and a conciliatory and collaborative spirit: “I arrive with humility, with deep respect for military culture and traditions and a sincere commitment to devote myself day and night to contributing to the fulfillment of institutional missions”.
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Source: Terra
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
